[knighthawk]

Some countries have law protecting the identity of perpetrators. The Netherlands also never place full names, but another reason is that the names reveal the ethinc background, and as you can see in one of the links below, the Australian government doensn't want to stir up things.

[AmishDude]

In the US, identity is usually withheld for juveniles and some adult victims, but never for a convicted adult. Well, I was a little interested in the ethnic background. Can I take a radical guess that the prevalence of "M"s might indicate the presence of a name that can be abbreviated with "Mo"?

[Bahbah]

The Aussie government doesn't want to stir things up, by giving them the facts and letting them decide what they think is going on. This just makes me so angry.

[Travis McGee]

Isn't it rather odd that they won't name CONVICTED rapists?

It's for the same reason that the FBI wouldn't name the LAX shooter for 18 hours after they had his name.

[Banksia]

This has nothing to do with 'the Australian government,' as criminal justice is a state issue. The state of New South Wales in this case tried the Lebanese Muslim Youths. As they were under 18 at the time of the offences their names are suppressed until after sentencing. Bet on these guys being given very harsh sentences. Elections next year and the State government wouldn't tolerate a lenient sentence. Even without the looming election I don't think these scum would have gotten off lightly.